Geographic Names
UNITED STATES BOARD ON. An organization instituted in 1890, by President Harrison, having for its object the introduction of uniformity in the orthography of geographic names. The board has fifteen members, representing government departments and the Smithsonian Institute. Local usage is the rule generally followed in the adoption of names though regard is had to etymology, simplicity, and correctness in the decisions arrived at. New names, suggested by officers and employees of the government, are passed on by the board before publication.
Most of the work of the board in recent years has been in connection with oversea possessions. GEOGRAPHY